I was not familiar with the Pennsylvania "Keystone" shaped collar brass until I saw this WW1 era image available.

The image is in a WW1 era three fold mounting and has original writing that states: "Received word of his death Oct 10th 1918, died of his wounds in France during the war with Germany". Unfortunately, there is not a name on the image or mount.

Comments

AmberRose, 3 years agoSo frustrating with no name. I wonder where in France. He looks like he's 17

scottvez, 3 years agoThanks for looking and commenting amber. It is ashame that there is not a consolidated WW1 soldier database. Canada has a great online database that includes copies of the original enlistment documents. In the US the best information is found through a search of units. I will give it a try-- may be enough information to track him down.

When I was an 18 year old trooper in the 101st-- I THOUGHT that I was a tough looking seasoned, soldier as were all of my buddies.

Twenty years later as a 38 year old in the 101st-- I was amazed at how young all of the more senior folks appeared AND how all of the younger soldiers looked like children!

scott

Chrisnp, 3 years agoWhen the battalion commander looks too young to be in command, and the new soldiers have dates of birth after your date of enlistment, you know it's getting near time to turn in your retirement papers. Been there.

scottvez, 3 years agoI remember that as well chris. I served in the same unit as an 18 and 38 year old. A soldier was telling me he wasn't even alive when I first served in the unit. I didn't think 38 was old until I was told that!

fhrjr2, 3 years agoThanks for sharing this scott - I have often wished these old photo's could talk and tell the story behind them. On another note, in our day we were taught to respect our elders, getting hard to find any elders anymore.